Kysh Babay is a twin brother of Santa Claus: this folkloric gift-bringing character personifies the Christmas and New Year period in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan. Take a glimpse at the Tatars' tradition of celebrating major winter holidays at Kysh Babay's Residence in our photo gallery.
The Tatar version of Santa Claus, Kysh Babay (the Wintry Grandfather), and the folkloric character Shurale (Wood-Goblin) at the residence of Kysh Babay in the village of Yana Kyrlay in Arsky district, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.
Tatar snowmen at the Residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
Winter magician Kysh Babay at his residence in Tatarstan.
Children, the main guests of Kysh Babay's residence, are sculpturing a chicken figure from snow.
Participants in a show at the winter magician Kysh Babay's residence in Tatarstan.
Winter magician Kysh Babay at his residence in Tatarstan.
Tatar mythical characters play with a girl at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
The Tatar folkloric character Ubyrly Karchyk (Old Witch) at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
Fairy tale characters Takhir and Zukhra, the Tatar version of Romeo and Juliet, at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
Kysh Babay at his residence in Tatarstan.
Tatar folkloric character Ubyrly Karchyk at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
Kysh Babay and his mythical companions at Kysh Babay's residence in Tatarstan.
Tatar folkloric character Shurale at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
Kysh Babay, a winter wizard, is seen at his residence in the village of Yana Kyrlay in Arsky district, Republic of Tatarstan.
Tatar mythical characters Shurale and Ubyrly Karchyk at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
A monument to Tatar writer Ğabdulla Tuqay at the residence of Kysh Babay in Tatarstan.
Envelopes with letters written by children to the Tatar version of Santa Claus, Kysh Babay.
